An
all-seasons park, Mount Buffalo has sheer cliffs, imposing granite
tors, tumbling waterfalls, snow gums and stunning wildflowers. First
reserved in 1898, the 31,000 hectare park contains vegetation and fauna
adapted to extremes of weather, as a result of its sub-alpine location.

As you drive and walk throughout the park, you will see
evidence of the recent fires, but you will also see the vivid colours
as species begin to regenerate. There is plenty of wildlife to see
including Lyrebirds, Eastern Rosellas, Wombats and Swamp Wallabies.
Many animals can be seen along the main tourist road so please drive
carefully, especially at dawn and dusk.

When you're here
please don't hesitate to call into the Park Office Visitor Centre, 300m
from the Chalet turn off, for park information, maps and publications,
track conditions or just a friendly hello!

DOGS

Dogs are not allowed in Mount Buffalo National Park

Things to Do

Explore
the network of walking tracks that lead to delightful waterfalls, great
lookouts and amazing granite formations.

Take in the fantastic views of the Australian Alps from a number of spectacular lookouts throughout the park.

Camp at Lake Catani and enjoy swimming or canoeing.

The
adventurous can try hang gliding or rock climbing. Mount Buffalo is a
top Australian venue for both. Parks Victoria has installed a
Rockclimbing/Abseiling Intentions Book at the information shelter in
the Gorge carpark (which is found in front of the Mount Buffalo Chalet)
and further information about it is available here.

During
winter, snow blankets the plateau and Mount Buffalo National Park
becomes a stunning winter wonderland. The park offers safe and
accessible cross-country skiing, tobogganing and snow play areas set
amidst the spectacular granite landscape of Mount Buffalo plateau. Toboggan runs are available over winter at both Dingo Dell and
Cresta Valley depending on the altitude of snowfalls. For skiers, there
are 14 km of groomed marked cross-country trails at Cresta Valley which
cater for all skill levels. There is a further 20 km of remote,
unmarked trails, and almost unlimited off-track backcountry ski touring.

Walk
or ski-in winter camping is available at Lake Catani campground or
remote camping at Mount McLeod and Rocky Valley camping ground bookings are essential and can be made
online by visiting www.parkstay.vic.gov.au or by telephoning Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or the Mount Buffalo Entrance Station on (03) 5756 2328.

There is also winter camping behind the stone hut at the lake Catani Camping ground and a pit toilet - there are no fees but let the rangers know that you are camping there (The entry gate is closed ark at off road car park and walk or ski in)

With
the onset of the warmer months, Mount Buffalo comes to life as the
wildflowers begin to bloom and animals return to the plateau after
spending the cold winter in the lower foothills. A range of activities
such as bush walking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, sight seeing and
bike riding are available to visitors. Rock climbing, abseiling and
hang gliding challenge the more adventurous.

During summer,
take advantage of the extensive program of activities held throughout
the park. They're fun, free and informative programs that are suitable
for the whole family. Take part in activities such as ranger-guided
walks, camp fire nights, Indigenous story time, puppet shows or help
the kids become a 'Junior Ranger'.

Mount Buffalo Project

Parks Victoria has been working with the local community to develop
options to breathe new life into the tourism and recreational products
at Mt Buffalo National Park. Find out more...

Facilities

Gorge Day Visitor Area

Spectacular lookouts with views of the Australian Alps

Picnic tables and a public shelter

Public toilets

Lake Catani Lakeside

Picnic tables set on the banks of Lake Catani

Walking tracks /swimming /fishing /canoeing

Public toilets

Canoe Hire (Selected Holidays and Weekends)

Dingo Dell Day Centre

Open most days throughout peak summer period

Cresta Valley Day Visitor Area

Temporary Day shelter / picnic area

Public toilets

Accommodation
No roofed accommodation exists on Mt Buffalo this year. The Mount
Buffalo Chalet & Café are closed. There is a wide range of
accommodation in and around Bright.

Heritage

DID YOU KNOW?

There
is a table, just under 4.5 metres long in the Mount Buffalo Chalet
café, which is said to have been used on a train for the 1956 royal
tour? Railway tracks shaped into fire surrounds and railway seats from
train stations are still in use at the Chalet.

Aboriginal
people made summer ascents to Mt Buffalo and other Alpine areas to
gather and feast on protein-rich Bogong Moths that cluster in rock
crevices, and also to meet and hold ceremonies. Explorers Hume and
Hovell named the mountain in 1824 from its supposed resemblance to a
buffalo. Gold miners and botanists later began to find routes up to the
plateau. With the beginning of tourism in the 1880s, an area around the
spectacular Gorge was reserved as a national park in 1898. The park has
been enlarged several times since and now takes in all the plateau and
surrounding slopes. The Mount Buffalo Chalet was built in 1910, soon
after the first road to the plateau was constructed, replacing some
earlier more "rustic" accommodation. The park became a popular holiday
destination for succeeding generations and a place for early skiing and
ice skating ventures. In fact Buffalo had the first ski tow in
Australia.

Please note: The Mount Buffalo Chalet is currently closed.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks
Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria -
including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions,
the Mitambuta and Taugaurong identify the Mount Buffalo National Park
as their Traditional Country.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria .

Fauna
Due to the range in altitude in the park, there is a variety of fauna
habitats. The foothill forests contain kangaroos, wallabies, and
several species of possums and gliders. Smaller mammals such as native
rats and mice inhabit the plateau. Wombats occur in all habitats. The
Alpine Silver Xenica is a species of butterfly found only on the
plateau of Mount Buffalo. Bogong Moths shelter in rock crevices at the
Horn and it is common to see birds darting in and out of the cracks to
feed on them. Peregrine Falcons sometimes nest in the granite rock
faces. Crimson Rosellas are abundant throughout the park.

Vegetation

DID YOU KNOW?

When
the Mount Buffalo Chalet was run by the Victorian Railways the
restaurant was known as an official "Railways Refreshment Room". Staff
worked in railway uniforms, blew whistles and imposed curfews for
guests. Railway tickets were issued for equipment and activities such
as "Motor to Wangaratta" and "Skis, steel edged with cane stocks and
boots 2 nd Grade 8/6-"?

The
park protects a diverse array of vegetation types and plant species.
Over 550 native species occur; the most significant vegetation
communities are the alpine and sub-alpine communities.

Massive
bluffs and near vertical granite rock faces soar a thousand metres
above the Ovens River valley and are typified by ridges heavily
forested with Alpine Ash and Snow Gum. At the highest points trees
become sparse, and extensive granite outcrops are linked by expanses of
sub-alpine grasslands and herbfields spotted with patches of stunted
Snow Gum. Buffalo Sallee, an endemic eucalypt found only in the park,
occurs predominantly around the edges of the plateau.

The
foothills below consist of undulating dissected terrain with valleys
and low hills clothed mainly with peppermints and gums.

Looking After the Park

Dogs and other pets and firearms are not permitted. Please keep to tracks.

Observe fire restrictions. Take a gas or fuel stove.

Carry out all rubbish.

Do not disturb or remove any plants or animals.

Please
do not feed rosellas or other wildlife. It upsets the natural
ecological balance and can cause injury or disease to visitors.

Precautions

Drive carefully on the winding roads, especially in snow or icy conditions and watch for wildlife.

Take care near lookouts and waterfalls. There are steep slopes and sheer drops.

Make
sure you have appropriate clothing and other equipment for winter
visits and to allow for sudden weather changes. The weather can be
severe at any time of the year.

How to Get There
Mount Buffalo National Park is about 320 km north-east of Melbourne via
the Hume Freeway and Great Alpine Road. Allow about four hours drive
time. Approach the park by the winding but sealed entrance road from
Porepunkah, near Bright. Tyre chains must be carried in winter.
Entrance fee payable.

Annual
Parks Passes and Multi Day Parks Passes are available for Mount Buffalo
National Park. These can save entry fee costs for regular users, local
residents and interstate visitors. Further information is available here.

Special Needs AccessSpecific information about site conditions
so you can judge a site's accessibility according to your
own needs.more infoGorge Day Visitor Area
Tracks around the Gorge area of Mount Buffalo National Park are
generally wide and flat, and the site entry and car park are easily
accessible. Toilet facilities have been recently upgraded to include an
accessible unisex facility with a sealed approach path. Scenic views
are accessible.

Lake Catani Campground
Lake Catani
campground is reasonably flat, with firm ground, and good paths to the
picnic and toilet facilities. There are designated accessible toilets,
though they are not fully compliant with current standards. Surfaces
are unsealed but generally free of obstacles. The boat launching area
and jetty are not easily accessible.

Snow Play
Access for the less able can be organised by telephoning the Mount
Buffalo park office on (03) 5755 1466 or the Mount Buffalo Entrance
Station on (03) 5756 2328.